Technology has reshaped the sporting landscape, with data analytics now playing a pivotal role in performance and strategy. In modern cricket, leveraging data effectively can be the difference between victory and defeat.
At the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit Powered by Leaders, Mo Bobat, Director of Cricket at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, explored the impact of data on decision-making. In conversation with Isa Guha and RCB’s batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik, Bobat highlighted how data informs key decisions in recruitment and match preparation.
My fascination is decision-making. Having superior data gives you an advantage—if you can interpret and apply it effectively in the moment. Execution and follow-through are crucial. As a leader in sport, that’s your core currency.
Bobat, formerly the Performance Director at the England and Wales Cricket Board, detailed how RCB uses data to dissect opposition weaknesses, maximise strengths, and refine strategies post-match. He emphasised the challenge of handling vast amounts of data, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Not all decisions are the same. For an auction, you have weeks to plan. But in-game decisions happen in seconds — you don’t have the luxury of time. It’s not just about what’s right or wrong; it’s about having guiding principles to navigate those moments.
Balancing data with instinct is key. “If you strike the right balance between analytics and gut feeling, your decision-making will always improve,” Bobat added.
Karthik shared his own experience with data-driven insights, especially since the rise of the IPL.
Before the IPL, players relied a lot on ‘feel.’ But data changed everything — teams started identifying and exploiting weaknesses more effectively. I experienced it firsthand. After a strong season, I returned to find bowlers avoiding my strengths and targeting my vulnerabilities. That’s when I realised the importance of reviewing my game through data and making adjustments.
In a sport where split-second choices matter, the ability to decode and apply data is now a crucial competitive edge.
